Sabadee

Well here we are in Laos People Democratic Republic (Lao PDR.)

The last few days have been long as we spent most of the time on a boat.

DAY 1- Chiang Khong (Thailand) to Pak Beng (Laos)

27th November

It was an early start and a short ride to the river where we officially left Thailand for the 30 second boat ride across to Laos which was in our sights. It did not take long to clear immigration and after 7 stamps in the passport and $70US were handed over we were in. From here it was a tuk tuk ride to the Mekong River where we had a few more passport checks then finally we were allowed onto the slowboat.This whole process took 4 hours from start to finish and we had only travelled 2 miles!!!!

At 11.30am the slowboat pulled away from the riverbank with far too many people on board, there must have been 150 people sat on the benches and the floor and just about anywhere they could find space.The boat did move quite quickly and the sun was out so everyone was in good spirits drinking Beer Lao as we floated down the rather muddy brown Mekong River. It is quite a fast flowing river and every now and then it would spray up as if to grab our attention or pull us towards the riverbank.

All the way down the river there are little villages with people fishing and kids swimming there is a real buzz of activity. After a few hours the wooden benches became very uncomfortable as they were definately not built for western bums!!!

As the sun was setting at 5.30pm the engine was switched off and we coasted into Pak Beng and moored up at the pier (when I say pier it was a sandy bank with a wobbly plank!!!) This was particularly good fun to try and cross with a rucksack on your back, it reminded me of it's a knockout!!!

In Pak Beng it was a mad scramble to find Guest Houses and Mel went off to find us somewhere to stay, she got the last room in the Salika GH right on the Mekong River for 4 quid which was a real bargain. Had dinner with Steve and Jo who we had met on the boat then turned in as it was another early start.

DAY 2-Pak Beng to Luang Prabang

28th November

Yes it was back on the slow boat and in typical fashion we got there an hour early, which for once turned out to be a good move as we landed a couple of car seats to sit on instead of the wooden benches so it gave our backsides a bit of needed comfort!!!!

The journey would take us South again all the way to Luang Prabang and would take 8 hours. As it was still early the wind whipped through the boat and everyone was wearing whatever they could to keep warm. Mel was tucked up in her sleeping bag liner and looked like a giant Silkworm and I was wearing a t-shirt on my head to keep my ears warm!!!

Our car seats proved priceless on the journey and kept us relatively comfy, we managed to survive the whole day on peanuts, oranges and oreo cookies as the boat was different and did not serve food!!!!

Again we arrived at Luang Prabang at 5.30pm as the sun was setting over the town and the next challenge was to go and find ourselves a place to stay. As soon as you step off the boat there are touts swarming you wanting to take you to their Guest House which is always the best in town, after checking out several we found one with a hot shower near the river for 10 quid a night.

29th November

Had a much needed lie in then found a good little place on the river for breakfast watching the boats go up and down the river.Then it was into sightseeing mode and we ventured down the peninsula to Wat Xieng Thong, the oldest and most impressive Wat which dates from the 1500's.

As Luang Prabang has a lot of French influence just walking around the streets and looking at the architecture was amazing and the shops are really good as well.The whole place has a relaxed atmosphere so we are going to take our time here and maybe have 4 days to look around and chill out.

Lots of Love

M & M